Pfizer sues Breckenridge over rheumatoid arthritis drug

Pfizer has sued Breckenridge Pharmaceutical, Pensa Pharma and Laboratorios del Dr Esteve for patent infringement of its drug Xeljanz (tofacitinib).

Xeljanz is a drug given to rheumatoid arthritis patients to help treat moderate to severe pain.

The case, which was filed on Tuesday, March 21 at the US District Court for the District of Delaware, arose after Breckenridge filed an Abbreviated New Drug Application with the Food and Drug Administration.

The company had sought permission to sell generic versions of Pfizer’s Xeljanz, and by doing so would infringe US patent numbers 6,965,027 and 7,301,023, according to Pfizer.

Pfizer has asked the district court for a ruling in its favour, as well as a permanent injunction enjoining Breckenridge from bringing the generics to market.

The company has also asked for an award of damages.

Breckenridge is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Pensa Pharma, while Laboratorios del Dr Esteve manufactures pharmaceutical products distributed by Breckenridge.